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Common Purpose

Senior and influential leaders from across the Commonwealth visited Manchester this week to examine how the city is leading the way in cross-sector partnerships and collaboration as part of CSCLeaders, run by Common Purpose.

The programme, called CSCLeaders, is a partnership between Common Purpose and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conferences (UK Fund). HRH The Princess Royal is President of the Conferences and joined the group in Manchester this week. Participants visited people and places across the city as they investigated the Challenge: “What would produce a step change in how the public, private and not-for-profit sectors work together?”

Marie Mohan, Chief Executive of Common Purpose UK, said, “We are delighted that Commonwealth leaders are visiting Manchester this year to explore city-wide collaboration. Manchester is a fascinating and complex place, with a long history of partnership and ambition. At Common Purpose, we have been helping leaders to cross boundaries in Manchester for many years, introducing them to diverse people and places and showing them how they might do things differently. I am certain that the stories from Manchester will provide valuable insights as this international group of leaders work together to tackle similar challenges in cities around the world.”

The group explored how leaders in the city work across boundaries to innovate, exploring Manchester’s history and its future. Contributors included Sir Howard Bernstein, CEO, Manchester City Council, Mike Blackburn, Chairman at Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership and Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Manchester. Visits in the city included the Manchester Airport, Gorton Monastery, Greater Manchester Police, The Big Life Company, Manchester City Football Club and Coronation Street at ITV.

The participants also visited Glasgow and London as part of the programme and continue their learning in Ghana and Singapore, later this year.

Common Purpose

Common Purpose runs leadership development programmes that enable people from different backgrounds, sectors, geographies and generations to work together to solve common problems. In the process, we give participants the inspiration, skills and connections to become better leaders, both at work and in society.